Disclaimer: I bought a lot of shoes in 2017. Like, a lot. And I watched Sex and the City, so that maybe didn’t help.
We all have those trends that we swear we will never try. We see them on celebrities or on the runways of Fashion Week, and think “I would never wear that.” And chances are you won’t, because the price is way more than you could afford. But the trend slowly trickles down the fashion pipeline to be adapted by designers who are more affordable in price. And as you see the trends appear more and more frequently in different stores as tone-downed adaptations of the originals, the trend starts to grow on you. And you finally decided to bite the bullet and jump on the trend bandwagon. Because honestly, if you can’t beat it, buy it.
Other times, we have trends we fall in love with right away. We see them, and immediately know that that is what we need in our closet. It might be a color, silhouette, or fabric. But whatever it is, it sparks our interest. And even if it’s bold, we feel as though it was made for us. While I will 100% admit to needing some time to let trends grow on me, I would like to think that for the most part, I see trends, and fully recognize the fact that that’s where the fashion train is headed, and I need to jump on board. This is especially the case with shoes. Now, I wouldn’t go as far as to say that I collect shoes, because that would entail me never wearing them. But, ask anyone who knows me, and they will probably tell you that I have more shoes than any normal person needs. But, as a true Carrie/Charlotte (if you know, you know), I don’t think it’s possible to have too many pairs of shoes.
For me, one of the 2017 trends that I had very mixed emotions about was furry shoes. Between the furry slides and sneakers, I felt unsure. But then, as I was exposed to them more and more, the sneakers with the furry pom poms began to grow on me. When I began to try on different pairs and seriously consider copping myself a pair, I was still hesitant; not because I didn’t want to like them, but because there was just something I didn’t like. I slowly realized that on some styles, the pom poms were too large in relation to the actual shoe. As I was about to put the dream to rest and accept that perhaps the fur-less shoe life was the life for me, I found the perfect pair. They were as toned down as any furry sneaker can be. They were fun, furry, and fashionable.
Shoes: Steve Madden
Top: Anthropologie
Jeans: J Crew
If furry shoes were something that I was hesitant to try on, mules were the complete opposite. Between mules and slides, I was fully ready to embrace the trend. However, when I talk slides, I mean the loafer style ones. Mules became the perfect shoe for summer and fall, and could be worn with almost anything. I fell in love with these blush suede loafers that were part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. The color is neutral enough that it goes with a lot, but is still in the blush family. The bow detailing on top also literally wraps up the perfect pair of loafers in a nice little bow. Overall, this trend was one I needed no convincing to take on, and neither should you.
Shoes: Louise et Cie
Sweater: Madewell
Jeans: FRAME
Lastly, I learned that sometimes you need to make your own trends. I don’t know if it’s exactly possible to single-handedly bring slingbacks back, but they kind of have their years where they fly under the radar of the shoe world. That is, until you find a totally cute pair in a beautiful color. The moment I saw these, I knew I needed them. It wasn’t necessarily because slingbacks were all the rage. It was because of the color. And the chunky heel helped. And the fact that Sam Edelman can do no wrong in my eyes. Sometimes you just have a feeling about something. With boys, with conversations, and definitely with shopping. And I just had a feeling that if I didn’t buy these shoes, I would have the opposite of buyer’s remorse: not-buyer’s remorse (not my most original work, I know).
Shoes: Sam Edelman
Top: J Crew
Jeans: Joe’s Jeans
Looking back on the year, I cannot say that I regret buying fun shoes. In fact, I don’t think I will ever say that. Unless they don’t fit, but that’s a different case. Sometimes, you have to find your thing that makes you, you, and for me, that’s shoes. As with all fashion, they’re a great way to express yourself and present who you are to the world. 2017 truly was a great year, full of new experiences and adventures, new friendships, new discoveries, and new shoes. Here’s to 2018 being even bigger and better!
XOXO, Chloe
Stylish and Starving at Twenty Something
Stylish and Starving At Twenty-Something 